Falls Best 5-Minute Crispy Air Fryer Pumpkin Seeds
Crispy, salty, and ridiculously easy air fryer pumpkin seeds made in just 5 minutes. No boiling, no long roasting, just perfect crunch every time.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Snack
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 cup fresh pumpkin seeds (from a sugar pumpkin preferred)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil or avocado oil
- ½ teaspoon fine sea salt
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder (optional)
- ¼ teaspoon smoked paprika (optional)
- ⅛ teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)
- 1 tablespoon sugar + ½ teaspoon cinnamon (for sweet version, optional)
Instructions
- Clean the pumpkin seeds: Place seeds in a colander and rinse under cool water, separating seeds from pulp.
- Dry the seeds thoroughly: Spread clean seeds on a towel and pat dry, pressing to absorb moisture.
- Season the seeds: In a bowl, combine dried seeds with oil and salt. Add optional seasonings if desired and toss to coat.
- Preheat the air fryer to 360°F (182°C) for 2-3 minutes.
- Spread seasoned seeds in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Do not overcrowd.
- Air fry at 360°F for 5 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through at 2.5 minutes.
- Check for doneness: Seeds should be golden brown and sound hollow when shaken. Add 1-minute increments if needed.
- Cool completely on a plate or baking sheet for 5-10 minutes before serving.
Notes
Dry seeds thoroughly for best crispiness. Do not skip oil. Adjust cooking time based on your air fryer model. For store-bought raw pepitas, check at 3 minutes. Re-crisp leftovers in air fryer at 360°F for 1-2 minutes.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: ¼ cup (about 30 gram
- Calories: 180
- Sodium: 150
- Fat: 15
- Saturated Fat: 2
- Carbohydrates: 4
- Fiber: 2
- Protein: 9
Keywords: air fryer pumpkin seeds, crispy pumpkin seeds, fall snack, pumpkin seeds, easy snack, gluten-free, dairy-free